ix, 493 pages ; 25 cm

"In the summer of 1975 the distinguished Harvard entomologist Edward O. Wilson published his Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. In the book, Wilson defined sociobiology as a new discipline devoted to 'the systematic study of the biological basis of all social behavior.' He explicitly included our own species Homo sapiens, and devoted his final chapter to humans, suggesting that human sex role divisions, aggressiveness, moral concerns, religious beliefs, and much more, have a genetic basis. The book came under intense fire from a group of critics and battle lines were drawn." "Defenders of the Truth is the definitive account of the controversy, a tale involving clashes of convictions about science and its social role. But Segerstrale's canvas is on an altogether grander scale. Here is an insight into the world of science and the scientists who inhabit it. Here, too, are important scientific, moral, and political issues, and perennial themes such as the objectivity of science, the social use of scientific knowledge, human nature, and free will."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 429-468) and index

Preface. 1. The sociobiology debate as a battle for truth -- pt. 1. What happened in the sociobiology debate? 2. The storm over Sociobiology ; 3. Colleagues on collision course: Wilson's and Lewontin's contrary moral-cum-scientific agendas ; 4. The British connection ; 5. The 'deep background' of sociobiology ; 6. Assault on adaptationism, a delayed scientific critique ; 7. The unit of selection and the connection with culture ; 8. Sociobiology adapts to criticism: Genes, mind and culture ; 9. The moral/political conflict continues -- pt. 2. Making sense of the sociobiology debate. 10. Inside the mind of the critics ; 11. Planters and weeders in the garden of science ; 12. To be or not to be, in the sociobiology controversy ; 13. A clash of traditions ; 14. Conflicting views of the nature of science ; 15. Capitalizing on controversy

pt. 3. The cultural meaning of the battle for science. 16. The sociobiologists and their enemies: taking stock after 25 years ; 17. Truth by dispute? The sociobiology debate and the Science Wars ; 18. Interpreting the Enlightenment quest ; 19. The tension between scientific and moral truth ; 20. The battle for the soul, and for the soul of science --Notes -- References -- Glossary -- Index

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